Electric snap-switch.



M. GUETT.

ELECTRIC SNAP SWITCH.

'APPLICA'HON FILED SEPT. :2. ms.

1,282,815. Patented 00. 29, 1918 U TED sra'g s MONROE GUETT, F HARTFORD, CONNECTICUT, AS53613? It THE HART (it HEGEMAN MANUFACTURING COMPANY, OF HAETFCBD CQNH' CTI'ICUT, A COEE CRATICN OE CONNECTICUT.

a lieationsiee September 12, me.

'To all whom it may concern:

is simple in construction {and efi'ective and certain in action. 1-

In the drawings accompanying and forming part of the present specification I have shown in detail one convenient form or embodiment of the, i'nvention which I will set forth fully in the following description. I do not restrict 'rnyself to this disclosure; 1 may depart I therefrom in several respectswithin the scope of the invention defined by the claims following said description.

Referring to said drawings 'Figure 1 isa top plan view of asnapswitch involw'ng the invention, with the cover removed and showing by dotted and full lines two :pOSltlOnS of the switching member.

Fig. 2 is a cross section on the line 2-2- of Fig. 1, looking in the direction of the arrows. Y

. Fig. 3 is a cross section on the line 33 of said Fig. 1, also looking in the direction of the arrows, but with the spindle and certain cooperative elements partly turned and the switching member in the act of being retracted.

I Fig. i is a horizontal section on the line H of Fig. 2.

Fig. 5 is aiso a horizontal section of the same, the section being taken just below the upper washer of the spindle.

Fig. 6 is a perspective view on an enlarged scale, of an actuator.

Like characters refer tolike parts throughout the several views. 7

There is a snap switch in use which coinprises a base or body to receive for rotation,

a spindle. In conjunction with this spindle is a switching nieniher,therebeing interposed between the switching member and the spire dle a spring. This spindle when turned carries the spring therewith, the spring h ing tensioned when'the switching member at its ends meets obstructions on the base or Specification of Letters Eater v means. i

1;": reiterate ti body. @n the continued movement of the spindle, the spring tensioned and simultaneously the switching member is retracted, owing to its having a ieed'connectionfor this purpose with the. spindle, the tensioning ofthe spring being obtained by said retractive increment. When the apexes of the obstructions are reached, the spring then under maxinnnn tension, is intended to inipart a snap movement to the switching member to carry the same entirely free of the obstructions, and to on or off position as the case may he. Frequently the ends of the switching member owing to said feed eonnection are force against the tops of these obstructions to such an extent that they bind the and thus prevent this snap inoren de a construction wheren eliminated. Although nit-inner in my switch inig it direction, i prefer that it hie; that is to say, the

can more to on or t ff gin-file in either direction. a texture of considerabie itch nmudes in its e or body such as ti make-n9 a suitiat denoted in a 1 and which illustrated niar and may ing nia'terizii in the b r-rating pair? made oi 1 7 of and which may and prefer .i with the base or body as or obstructions are generaily of wedge or approximately inverted vshape somewhat common in this art. The

base isequipped with contacts a and 6 diametrical y opposite each other, attached thereto ii any desirable manner and furnished w ti any suitable wire connecting iaterai portions of the contacts "rinl ect-ions or obstructions 3 .nmon this art. The. forep swiitch of known kind .roreiinents can he advan- 5 and '3 iii; the scope against adjacent faces of *rip-tion oi"? the base or tageously utilized. ,obviously, however, I am not restricted in this particular.

In connection with the contacts 5 and 6 is a suitable switching member such as that denoted in a general way by 7. As willbe hereinafter more fully set forth this switching member is oppositely rotative. It may as illustrated consist of a plate shown by full lines in Fig. 1 in its off position, and in dotted lines in said view in its on position. \Vhen in the on position, the ends of the switching member overlie the cooperating contacts 5 and 6 as familiar. In conjunction with this switching member-is a suit able spindle, that denoted by 8 answering satisfactorily in this connection. This spindle 8 extends through an approxin'iately central hole in the switching member and also through a hole-or perfo 'ation 9 in the base or body 2, being held in position as represented by a washer 10 and pin 11. The spindle 8 as illustrated is rectangular in cross section, consisting preferably of a flat elongated strip. It may be turned in any desirable manner as by the handle 12 connected thereto. The spindle extends freely through the switching member, by reason of which the two can relatively turn and the switching member can also move longitudinally of the spindle for a reason that will hereinafter appear. Surrounding the spindle S is a coiled spring as 13. As shown one end of this spring bears against a suitable stop as the pin 14 on the spindle, the other end bearing against the switching member or plate 7, the spring serving as a suitable means to constantly advance the switching member or, to hold thesame yieldingly against the base or body 12 and likewise against the contacts 5 and 6.

The spindle 8 also extends througha slot as 15 in what I term an actuator such as that denoted in a general way by 16, the purpose of this actuator being to impart a retractive movement to the mvitching member 7 'as will hereinafter more particularly appear. This slot provides a convenient lost motion connection between the actuator or the. switching member and the spindle. Said actuator comprises the base portion 17 and the two nudge or cam teeth 18 disposed as shown exactly opposite each other. the slot- 15 being formed in the base portion 17. This actuator can be readily stamped from sheet metal and afterward suitably shaped up. \Vhen the spindle o is in the neutral position, it is exactly coincident with the longitudinal axis of the slot 15. This slot comprises two duplicate portions, the side walls of which converge toward each other and merge about on the longitudinal central line of the base portion 17. ()wing to this fact it will be clear that when the spindle is in the neutral position. it is not in contact with either side wall of-lhe slot. When the switching spindle is turned in either direction, it can have a slight movement before it engages the base portion 17. When this engagement takes place, the spindle will be against opposite walls of the terminal enlarged portions of the slot. After this point is reached on further turning of the spindle, the actuator will turn with the spindle. The central portion of the switching member 7 has diametrically opposite slots as 19 in its periphery, which receive the teeth 18. It will be assumed that the actuator 16 is being turned by the switching member in a manner hereinafter set forth. As the actuator moves opposite side edges of the teeth 18 by simultaneously engaging diagonally opposite Walls of the notches or slots I!) carry the switching member with the spindle until the en of the s\ vitching member meet coacting diagonally opposite projections or obstructions (3 or 4 as the case may be) at which time the edges of said teeth which are impinged against said notch walls, will cam the switc.h-

ing member 7 so as to retract or move the same longitudinally of the spindle 8. In the organization shown the r'etractive movement of the switching member is upward, although this is merely illustrative. This action it will be understood, is repeated on either movement of the spindle. Said retractive movement of the switching member will permit the same to ride up theinclined faces of the opposite cooperating obstructions 3 and 4. During the arresting of the switching member spring means hereinafter described is tensioned so that the instant the ends of the switching member reach the tops of the said obstructions, the member is immediately snapped to its on or its off position as the case may be by this second spring means. It will.- of course, be understood that on the recessive movement of the switching member 7 under the. action of the cam or wedge-like teeth 18, the spring 13 is compressed, so that when the switching member has been snapped free of the obstructions which it had just engaged. said spring 13 will instantaneously advance the switching member into engagement with the body 2 or the fixed contacts 5 and (l thereon.

staked to or otherwise suitablyconnected with the spindle 8 are superposed and practically duplicate washers 20 and 21 between 'which the base 17 of the actuator 16 is confined. These washers act conveniently as stops to prevent. m veme.nt ofthe actuator in the direction of the length of the spindle. Between the base 17 and the washer 21 are disposed the duplicate springs constituting a convenient means for imparting a snap movement to the switching member 7 as willhereinafter more pzn'ticularly appear. These springs are of elongated looplil e form extending across and projecting from gatthe junction of the base portion 17 and respective teeth 18. This provides a convenijent way of positioning the springs witheht in any wisea'fl'ecting their proper ac "tion. The inner and adjacent bars 01 the springs 22 abut against lugs or ears as 2% struck up from the base portion 17. It will be understood that the flat spindle or shank 8 extends through the space between and 1s contact with the inner-bars of the looplike springs 22.

When the parts are, at rest, the balanced springs 22 actingagainst the spindle 8 will hold the latter in neutral position, at which point the sides thereof are out of contact .agith the side walls of the slot 15 as shown if)! example by full lines in Fig. When the spindle is turned in either direction, it acts' through the intermediate springs 22 to correspondingly turn the actuator 15, and the latter in the manner hereinbefore described by acting against the switching micmber '7 turns the latter, the motion con tinuing until the ends of the switching mem- --ber en age dia onallv op osite ro'ections b A I: v

3 and 4, thus arresting but not stopping the turning movement of the switching member. XVhen the switching member is thus arrested,

' the s indle 8 turns with res ect to the switching member until its sides engage diagonally opposite portions of the slot 15. During this motion of the spindle diagopally opposite corners of it by acting against fii'e two springs will tension the latter,

the tensioned springs when freed acting to mpart the necessary snap movement to the switching member. After the shank 8 is turned suiiiciently to permit it to engage the actuator, the two springs 22 at this time be- ;ing under maximum tension,'the teeth 18 will, by engaging the switching member in the manner also already described, cam said switching member in the present case in an upward direction, it being evident that at this time the actuator and the switching member are turning with the spindle. When the apexes of the projections thus engaged are reached, the switching member is released from the hold of the projections. its a consequence the springs 22 under maximum tension at: this time are permitted to react and apply their eiiect to the actuator, and the latter in turn being in engagement with the switching member eil'ectsan accelmember after projections have been cleared is immediately moved to straddle the cooperating contacts. In Fig. 5 I show how the relative motion between the spindle 8 and the actuator '16 occurs, and I also illustrate in this view how the snap springs-22 are tensioned during this relative movement. It is conceivable that in all cases an actuator of which that denoted by 16 is an example need not be always utilized for imparting the retractive or obstruction freeing motion to a switching member asS. Such an element, however, movable with respect to thespindle has its advantages.

lVhat Iclaim is:

1. The combination of a switching member movable about an axis, a'spindle movable about the same axis with respect to the switching member, spring means between the spindle and the switching member to cause the movement of theswitching member with the spindle, an obstiiiction in the path of and adapted to checlifthe movement of the switchingmcn-iber with the'spindle and at the same time to retract the switching member in the direction of said axes,-the spindle acting to tension said spring means when the switching member is thus arrested, means for freeingthe switching member by a rctractive movement thereof, from the arresting efiect of said obstruction, said tensioned spring means when said switching member is freed serving to in'xpart a snap movement to the switching member, and spring means acting independently of the other spring means and tending to constantly advance the switching member.

2. The combination of a switching member movable about an axis, an oppositely rotative spindle movable about the same axis with respect to the switching member, spring means between the spindle and-the switching member to cause themovement of the switching member with the spindle on either movement of the spindle, obstruc .tions in the path of and adapted to check ing member from the arresting efiect of said obstructions, said spring means when said switching member is freed, serving to impart a snap movement to the switching member. I

3. The combination of an oppositely ro-w tativej spindle, a rotary switching member. the two being coaxial, obstructions arranged in the path of movement of the switchi g member, and mechanism cooperative with the switching member and the spindle for causing the iiember to thrn'with as p,

the spindle on opposite movements thereof, to be freed from said obstructions, and to impart a snap movement to the switching member when the same is thus freed.

4. The combination of a switching member, an oppositely rotative spindle movable with respect to the switching member, spring means between the spindle and the switching member to cause the movement of the switching member with the spindle on opposite rotations of the latter, obstructions in the path of and adapted tocheck the movement of the switching member with the spindle on said opposite movements and at the same time to cause a lateral movement of the switching member, the spindle acting to tension the spring means when the switching member is thus arrested, an element movable with respect to the switching member and actuated by the spindle for freeing the switching member from the arresting effect of said obstructions, said tensioned spring' means when the switching member is thus freed, acting to impart a snap movement to .the switching member.

5. The combination of an oppositely rotative switching member, a spindle oppositely rotative with respect to the switching member, spring means between the spindle and the switching member,,to cause the movement of the switching member with the. spindle, obstructions in the path of and adapted to check the movement of the switching member with the spindle on the opposite movements of the latter and at the same time to cause the lateral movement of the switching member, the spindle act-l ing to tension said spring means when the switching member is thus arrested, and meansfor moving the switching member in the direction of the axis of rotation of the spindle to free it from said obstructions, said tensioned spring means when the switching member is freed serving to impart a snap movement to the switching member.

6. The combination of an oppositely rotative switching member, a spindle extension through the switching membe and oppositely rotative relatively thereto, spring means between the spindle and the switching-member to cause the movement of the switching member with the spindle, obstructions in the pathof and adapted to check the movement. of the switching member with the spindle and at the same time to cause the lateral movement of the switching member, the. spindle acting on its motion to tension the spring means when the switching member'is thus arrested, and means active during the opposite rotations of the spindle for moving the switching member in the direction of the axis of rotation of the spindle to free the switching member to tension the spring means, the latter when the switching member is freed, imparting a snap movement to the switching member.

7. The combination of a switching member, a spindle movable with respectto the switching member, spring means between the switching member and the spindle to cause the movement of the switching member with the spindle, an obstruction in the path of and adapted to check the movement of the switching member with the spindle and at the same time cause the lateral movement of the switching member, the spindle acting to tension said spring means when the switching-member is thus arrested, and means inovable independently of the switching member-and actuated by the spindle for the movement of the switching member with the spindle, obstructions in the path of and adapted to check opposite movements of the 'switchingmember with the spindle and at the same time to cause the lateral movement of the switching member, the spindle acting to tension thespring means when the switching member is thus arrested, and means movable with respect to the switching mem her" and the spindle and actuated by said spindle for releasing the switching member from the arresting effect of the obstructions, said tensioned spring means when the switching member is freed, imparting a snap movement to the switching member.

9. The combination of a switching member, a spindle movable with respect to the switching member, spring means between the spindle and the switching member to cause the movement of the switching member with the spindle, an obstruction in the path of and adapted to check the movement of the switching member with the spindle and at the same time to cause the lateral movement of the switching member, the spindle acting to tension said spring means when the switching member is thus arrested, and a cam element movable with respect to the spindle aml the switching'member and actuated by the spindle on the turning thereof,

said cam element when actuated by the 'i esegsie the actuator .the actuator having beveled teeth and the switching member being slot ted to reeeivesaid teeth, springs between the actuator and the spind e, obstructions in the 'patlfof the switching member and-adapted to arrest the movement thereof, the spindle When the switching member is arrestedtensioningboth springs andnioving the actuator; and the teeth of the actuator when the latteinis moved the spindle, acting to move the switching member free of the obstructions 7 11. The eonibination off an oppositely 1'0- tative switching member, a spindle extending freely through the switching member, both the switching member and the spindle being oppos tel i'otative, actuator through Wh h spindle extends, the spindi'e having lest motion connection with the a water, the actuator having beveled teeth and the switching member being slotted to receive said teeth, springs between the actuator and the spindle ObSClUCblODSlI. the path of the switching member 'and adapted to arrest the movement thereof, thespindlewl'ien the switching member is an rested tensioning been springs and moving ing to move the switchin meinbei .f reeo -tative switohing member having .boty of the actuatoi havingn siot, iilB mentioned the aetnator and the teeth of the note i when the latter is moved by the-spindie the obstructions-and a coiled spring siren the spindle acting to constantly urge switching meniber' forward."

12. The combination of an onpositel eial slots inits central portion, a fiat spi dle extending freely through the switching member and also oppositeiy ZOtiLtiTQ, nn-actnator comprising abod v, and Wedge teeth extending from the body, the \ved 'e teeth beingfitted in said slots and sides of Whichat opposite ends thereof verge towardfthe Center thereof, said slot receiving said spindle loop-like springs connected with the astuatoi" an'dbeaiing at opposite sidesa against the spindle, Wedge-shaged obstructions at ranged in cooperating pairs disposed in the path of the switching member, and a eoihd spring, the spring acting against the swish mg member and tending constantly to urge. I the same forward In testimony whereof I afiix my signature in the presence of two Witnesses.

MONBQE GUETT.

Witnesses L. L. MARKEL, HEA H i'jUTHERLAND. 

